Top Left to Right: Robert Brown, Darnell Miller, Marcus Sims, Rev. Mashod Evans
Bottom Left to Right: Laurita Thomas, Patricia Berry, Reates Curry, Janice Amin, Rhonda Salazar, Lois Harrison, Gail Quann,
Not Pictured: Alfred Green, Yodit Mesfin Johnson, Scott Mial,
Steward Board – Darnell Miller
The Steward Board promotes spiritual growth and financial leadership at Bethel. This is a body of believers who support the Pastor and Ministerial staff with all programs that edify the kingdom of God. The Steward Board consistently ushers in the Holy Spirit with prayer, worship, studying God’s word, stewardship, and generosity to congregants and extending benevolence to the community.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Peter 4:10
Pictured from left to right: Rev. Mashod Evans, Darrell Washington (Leader), Antwan McMullan, Norma McCuiston, Edna Jackson-Gray, Hollis Jordan, Maurice Slaughter and John Kirkland
Not pictured: Mattie Bentley and Ronald Elmore
Trustee Board – Darrell Washington
This Ministry is responsible for managing the temporal concerns of the church that are not otherwise provided. We also guard all real estate, church buildings, parsonage, and any other property obtained by the church as well as make improvements upon the property or real estate when authorized.
Pictured: Women’s Missionary Society Event
Women’s Missionary Society – Bessie Barber
The Women’s Missionary Society is committed in ministry beyond the congregation by knowing the community and partnering with community and social service agencies, and providing opportunities for mission and education. The Women’s Missionary Society is called to strengthen their faith and sent to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ by service and witness in the world.
Lay Organization – Robert Brown
Guiding Principle: “I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them.” Romans 15:14 NLT
The Lay Organization’s mission is to create, develop and promote an environment that encourages the Bethel Ann Arbor AME-C to organize and train lay members, so that each member may:
- Utilize to the maximum the abilities and skills granted by God,
- Assist with the improvement and extension of God’s Kingdom, and
- Create happiness, peace and harmony among its members.
Stewardess Board – Gail Quann
Serving as a stewardess is one of the most sacred and reverent offices one could hold in the kingdom of God because stewardesses oversee the altar work and the Elements [the body and blood] of Christ.
Young People & Children’s Division – Leslie Evans
The Young People’s Division (YPD), under the auspices of the Women’s Missionary Society of the AMEC, provides youth training programs, opportunities for leadership experience in all areas of church life. YPD provides training in Christian Social Relations, Evangelism, and mission work. YPD also connects youth to the mission of the church and increases knowledge of the AME Church history and most importantly to the word of God.
The YPD meets the 3rd Saturday of every month at 12 noon.
Church School – Patricia Berry and Marcus Sims
The mission of the Bethel Church School is to create and sustain a Bible-focused environment where children, youth and adults are led into knowing Christ, and then to help them mature to be following servants and lights of God, through Jesus Christ, thus becoming a dynamic group of believers that read, study, comprehend,share and apply biblical messages and principles to their own lives.
Pictured: Back row from left to right: Marcus Sims (co-Leader), Robert Brown, Darnell Miller, Ever Miller, Carol Rhodes, Desiree Conyers, Laurita Thomas, Ruth Jordan, Hollis Jordan, Maurice Slaughter, Lorray Brown, Mark Fancher
Pictured: Front Row from left to right: Geraldine Ford-Brown, Mattie Bentley, Edna Jackson-Gray, Shirley Elmore, Lexanna Lyons, Joyce Hunter, Darlene Slaughter, Sharon Bailey, and Patricia Berry (co-Leader)
Not Pictured: Janice Amin, Rev. Derrick Amison, Nicole Banks, Emma DoDoo, Ronald Elmore, Rev. Karra Evans, First Lady Leslie Evans, Rev. Mashod Evans, Toussant Fancher, Mary Gipson, Linda Harris, Lois Harrison, Monique Hunter, Gloria Jackson, Salieta Jenkins, Andrea Johnson, Mary Johnson, Rev. LaTricia Mitchell, Rhonda Salazar, Dense Stanley, Shonaugh Taruza, Bernice Williams, Deborah Williams and Eugene Williams
Audio Visual and Media Arts:
Pictured from left to right: Trevon Henderson, Ayana Thomas, Leonard Alford, III, Taylor Porter and Bryan McCullough
Worship and Praise Team:
Pictured on Left, from left to right – front: Meri Tedford, Ever Miller and Ayana Thomas; left to right – back: Marcus Sims and Curtis Howard
Right-Front, left to right: Rev. Dr. Karra Evans Fox, Kyana Taylor. Right-Back, left to right: Leonard Alford, III, Felicia Wright, Kevin Hudson
Right-Front, left to right: Rev. Dr. Karra Evans Fox, Kyana Taylor. Right-Back, left to right: Leonard Alford, III, Felicia Wright, Kevin Hudson
Music and Worship Arts – Leonard Alford, III
The Worship Arts Ministry supports the vision and mission of Bethel AME Church of Ann Arbor. Our desire is to lead people to Jesus through authentic worship with musical, creative and technical excellence.
Our mission is to walk together as disciples of Jesus and to seek to be led by the Holy Spirit. We use our creative gifts and talents to give God glory. – “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” 1 Peter 4 : 10
Our vision is to create and foster a community of creative individuals who desire to serve the congregation by encouraging spiritual growth through the presentation of worship arts. We all have a personal relationship with God and a desire to be part of this thriving ministry. Our vision is to lead the congregation into worship, bringing God’s people to His throne through musical excellence, AV & media arts. We desire for God to be glorified through everything we do as a worship team. This ministry includes the following:
- Music Ministry
- Bethel AME Mass Choir
- Mighty Men of Bethel
- Youth and Young Adult Choir
- Worship and Praise Team
- Audio Visual and Media Arts
- Mime and Praise Dance Ministry
Scholarship Ministry – Mark Fancher
The mission of the Scholarship Ministry is to provide financial assistance and encouragement to students who pursue higher education. Our efforts are directed toward not only students who are members of the Bethel AME Ann Arbor community, but also to students in the broader community who will benefit from the ministry’s blessings.
Culinary Ministry – Carol Rhodes
The mission is to strive to share GOD’S love as we provide comfort, fellowship, and fun through the preparation and serving of food.
Pictured from left to right: Alice Brennan, Ronald Elmore, James Turner, Shirley Elmore, Jerri Harris, Sharon Bailey, Roseanne Kirkland, Fannie Thomas, Leroy Thomas and John Kirkland.
Not Pictured: May Burris, Pamela Forts, Margaret Haywood, Candy Jones, Marshell Lambert, Sheryl Mullice and Gwen Patterson
Usher Ministry – Sharon Bailey
The purpose of the Usher Board is to be of service to the congregation as they worship. Responsibilities include greeting worshipers with a friendly smile, escorting worshipers and visitors to their seats, receiving the offering, and providing ushering services at funerals, special events or at the special request of the Pastor.
We guard the doors to the Sanctuary at all times during the service. We also try to assure that perfect order is kept in and around the church at all times during the service
When fully staffed, we have three Usher Boards
- Senior Usher Board that serves on 1st and 3rd Sundays.
- Young Adult Usher Board that serves on 2nd and 4th Sundays.
- Youth Usher Board that serves on 5th Sundays when they occur.
Pictured left to right: Pat Roberson, Madeline Melton, Linda Harris, Monique Washington, Georgia Fields, Jerene Calhoun, Carol Allen, Shirley Elmore, Mary Gipson and Ever Miller
Not pictured: Georgia Anderson
Greeters Ministry – Mary Gipson
Our mission is to:
- “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:1-2)
- “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (1Peter 4:9)
We are all included in God’s plan for salvation. Because of His grace and mercy we are a body of believers who create a warm, inviting environment for all of whom are lead to worship God with us.
Pictured left to right: Mattie Bentley and Laurita Thomas
Grief Ministry – Laurita Thomas and Mattie Bentley
The mission of the Grief Ministry is to assist in serving our congregation and community with the grief process. This lay-led ministry conducts GriefShare programs which serve as support groups for the bereaved and helps people apply biblical principles as they deal with the emotions and life stresses following the death of a loved one.
Pictured left to right: Laurita Thomas, Chair, Patricia Berry, Keisha Blevins, Darrell Washington
Not Pictured: Kawana Smith
HR Ministry – Laurita Thomas
The mission of the HR Ministry is to provide comprehensive human resource services from a faith based perspective to our pastor and congregation. This involves policy development, recruitment and selection processes, compensation data, advice on a number of issues including regulations and compliance. We administer the Safe Gatherings program for background checks and training for church staff and volunteers on serving children, youth and vulnerable adults.
Pictured left to right: John Kirkland, Robert Brown (co-Leader), Darnell Miller (Leader), Russell Calvert, Maurice Slaughter, Garry Forts and Donald Jackson
Not Pictured: Julio Elmore
Safety and Security Ministry – Darnell Miller and Robert Brown
Guiding Principle
“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock – His church, purchased with his own blood – over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.” Acts 20:28 NLT
Vision
To establish and support a safe and secure (hazard free) environment for worship and other Church related events where all are welcome. The primary function is to:
- Maintain a heightened awareness of potential risks on church property, immediately before, during and after the 10:00 a.m. service on Sundays and other Church related events.
- Take appropriate steps to minimize the risk to the congregation, and
- Respond to severe weather, fire and medical emergencies
Christian Education: Youth – Rev. Dr. Karra Evans Fox
This ministry is responsible for teaching, training, discipling and forming people in the likeness of Christ. In addition, this ministry instructs and introduces young people into the life and mission of the Church.
Christian Education: Adults – Rev. LaTricia Mitchell
This ministry is responsible for teaching, training, discipling and forming people in the likeness of Christ. In addition, this ministry instructs and introduces adults into the life and mission of the Church.
Literacy Ministry for Early Readers – Ruth Jordan
